Improvement in curtain-brakes



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lLetters PatentNo. 110,726, dated January 3, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN CURTAIN-BRAKES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making pari: of the same,

We, THOMAS S. BAYLIE and GEORGE H.v Mannen, of Vashington, in the couutyof Washington and DiseA trict off Columbia, have invented a new and improved Curtain Brake, of which the following is a specification. l

Natur@ and Objects of the Invent-ion.

Our invention lconsists of a brake' in the form of a segment Ot' a attislr ring, having an arm at or near the top, with notches therein to engage a band or spring attached to the window-ja1nb, or other convenient place, the object ofthe devicel being to exert a frictional pressureI on thc curtain-roller, andv enable it to hold the curtainat any desired height when raised o r lowered by means of a cord and pulley in the ordinary manner.

lhe arrangement of the brake is such that the pressure on the roller ina-y be increased or diminished according to the weight of the curtain, and that it may yield to any inequalities in the motionof the roller and exert the necessary pressure at all times.

`Descrvpti0n of the Accompanying Drawing.

frame by a hooked pin, B, preferably threaded, the

hook of which passes through a hole, a3, in the arm a', supporting the brake and allowing it to have perfect freedom of motion in all directions exceptA downwardly. f

O is a band or spring, ofrubber or other. elastic material, held at one end by a hooked piu, B, or equiva-v lent device, while its other end engages in some one of the notches a.

D is the curtain-roller, and E a circular disk or ange at the end thereof', the beveled edge e of whichl ts into the groove a of the ring A, giving the latter a bearing on the edge of said disk when in place, and

acted on by the elastic band C, the amount of friction between the two"sur`aces being determined by the ltension of the band.

The pulley at the other end of the curtain-roller may beof the ordinary construction, revolved lby au endless cord, or the curtain may be wound or nnwouud upon the roller in anyusual way, these details having no connection-with the operation of our brake, which is designed solely to hold the roller so as to prevent it from turning when the curtain is raised or lowered to the desired height by any ordinary means.

Operation.

The tension of the-band C. on the' arm a of the ring-segment A causes it to act asalever ofthe third kind, having the power C between the fulcrum B and the weight D; consequently, by causing the band to engage with one ofthe lower notches of the arm a', a greater degree of poweris exerted by the n'ng on' the disk, causing more friction than. if said band were engaged lwith one ot' the upper notches of the arm,

so that, by. engaging the band at a proper distance- 'from' the pin B, any amount offriction required in use may be obtained.

The roller D is journaledin any usual way, and is, of course, liable'to the irregular or fwabbling motionA common to such fixtures when not constructed with an accuracy and nicety of adjustment which would cause an expense prccluding their general use, or when Ithe end of the roller is not cnt accurately.

To remedy the inconveniences arising from this source, the brake is so suspended from the pin B by the orice a3 as to permit it to have sufficient play to follow the wabbling motion of the roller, at the same time keeping to its work and causing a nearly'uni- .form friction.

Claim. XVe claim as our invention- VThe grooved curtainbrake herein described," profided with alevelrn-arm, c', hinged loosely to the frame .to permit lateral movement, and a spring. or band, C,r

' adjusted on thesaid ann, so as to regulate thepressure.`

THOMAS S. BAYLIE.-

GEORGE H. MAURER.

Witnesses:

' JNO. 3A. LANDvoIGT, ROBERT F. FOSTER. 

